Essex NOC Branch Run 16th April 2014
Essex NOC Branch Run 16th April 2014
The first branch run for the 2014 riding season was blessed with fine weather, we met at J26 café (M25) from 8am for breakfast and five of us headed off soon after 9am heading north on a great biking ‘back road’ route.
We travelled through some spectacular villages such as Much Hadham and Clavering. I think I saw more thatched roof cottages today than I can ever remember. Unfortunately Derek on his Dominator suffered a puncture after we had stopped in a pub car park while Graham went for petrol. Derek had picked up an incredibly large diameter nail right in the centre of a brand new rear tyre. One can of ‘foam instant repair’ just came straight out the hole all over the tarmac without inflating the tyre at all. A call to Carol Nash and a recovery truck was ordered but would be an hour and a half. Mick had a spare inner tube on board his Commando so it was decided to change the tube and take the wheel to the garage for an air fill.
Half an hour before recovery was due Derek was ready to go, so he cancelled the rescue truck. We finished the planned route on more great roads and arrived in Swavesey 3 hours late. Too late to get lunch at the pub, so our host and hostess Will and Sue fixed lunch and refreshments for us all sitting in their back garden in the sunshine, how nice. After lunch Will started up his 1926 Model T Ford and drove it to a nearby Private road so that playtime could begin.
Sue and Graham led the way riding a pair of old Autocycles, one Rudge and one James. We took turns at the controls of the Model T being carefully tutored by Will. Then a go on the Autocycles.
The fun and games over we headed back to our hosts house for more tea. We left there and found a nice route back to Essex via Saffron Walden, Thaxted and Great Dunmow.
Keep those wheels turning.
Take care, Alan